The Sheep Welfare Scheme is a voluntary scheme targeted at light lambs (i.e. those under the 25 kg liveweight) that would normally be destined for the export market. The Sheep Welfare Scheme is only open to producers in Scotland.
The scheme will operate for a maximum period of 10 weeks, in order to quickly tackle the welfare problems that exist due to the restrictions brought in to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease.
A maximum of 250,000 animals will be accepted into the scheme in Scotland.